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May 2nd, 2017

The 2050 Climate Group work with young people across Scotland, engaging, educating and empowering them to take action on climate change and lead Scotland’s transition to a low carbon future. Through their Young Leaders Development Programme (YLDP), the 2050 Climate Group provides climate change education and leadership training to young people, aged 18-35. It is through this programme that the group hopes to inspire young people to take action on climate change and be catalysts for change in Scotland. Last year, the group successfully ran their first year of the YLDP with 150 young leaders taking part.

The fact that the 2050 Climate Group has been shortlisted for the BusinessGreen ‘NGO of the Year’ award, part of the BusinessGreen Leader’s Awards 2017, recognises our valuable contribution to building young people’s confidence to be leaders on responding to the challenges of climate change. The Group itself is made up of students and young professionals based across Scotland volunteering their efforts to a truly energetic and purposeful movement. The 2050 Climate Group hosted Scotland’s Youth Climate Summits in 2014 and 2016, as well as represented Scotland at the UN Climate Change conferences in Paris and Marrakech the past two years.

Richard Dryburgh, Chair of the 2050 Climate Group, said “We are delighted to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. This shows the huge impact we have made in such a short time and is a credit to our volunteers, young leaders and supportive partners. Having only incorporated earlier this year and to be nominated alongside such impressive, established organisations speaks volumes for the need for climate leadership across our generation.”

On the nomination, Ann McKechin, Trustee and Executive Officer of the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “Our charity Foundation is delighted to have financially supported the inspiring work of the 2050 Climate Group over the last two years. This nomination rightly recognises the leadership potential amongst young people in the fight against Climate Change and this innovative project will hopefully allow many more of them to reach their potential.”

Louise Macdonald, CEO of Young Scot, said: “For Scotland to become a low carbon nation, we need to look to our young leaders to inspire action on climate change. Programmes like The 2050 Climate Group’s Young Leaders Development Programme offers excellent opportunities for young people to make their voices heard. Young people are best placed to take the lead on climate action and I’d encourage all young people who want to see a greener future for all to apply.”